Recommended sharpener

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pho_shizzle

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Jan 18, 2008
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hello everybody, i was wondering if you guys can help me out and recommend a sharpener for pocket knives. i kind of want one that does multi-types of sharpening. for example, it can sharpen a broad range of blade sizes, and even serrations.

the only one i have seen is the boker vulkanus, anyone have any thoughts about it? thanks in advance
 
I'd recommend a Norton India oil stone, one of the combination benchstones. As for the serrated knives, get a Lansky or any equivalent diamond-coated pocket serration sharpener. Total cost is probably around $40.00.
 
The Spyderco Sharpmaker is much more flexible than the Vulcanus. It is the best choice I can think of if you include serrated blades in your mix.
 
The Spyderco Sharpmaker is a very popular and highly recommended system. Search the knife forums and you will find it is often mentioned. It is ideal for a double bevel of 30° and 40° inclusive. If you like simple, quick and easy, this is the deal. Comes with an instructional DVD.
 
You've got all kinds of options ranging from dirt cheap to very expensive :D.
No matter which option you use - be sure to get the burr - and it's pretty much smooth sailing from there ;)

If you want a guided system that handles the angles for you, check out products by Lansky & I belive DMT offers some as well- various prices and options. Norton may make one as well - but they make great, inexpensive free hand stones for sure.

My uncle absolutely swears by Lansky, that's what I started out with until I went to free hand - and it's not too expensive.

Kind of a semi guided/free hand method that is widely adored is the Spyderco Sharpmaker, but it is primarily used on stuff that does not need a great deal of edge re-profiling - unless of course you grab the diamond stones as well.

Good news is that I think they still come with a video :-)

Just keep your ceramic clean, or any stone you use for that matter -as the more pores that are open on the stone, the better it cuts the steel.

Be Well, good luck with your decision, and welcome to the forum :thumbup:

sp
 
Of course, my vote goes to a good set of bench stones. That's the most flexible knife sharpening system you will ever find.
 
I can recommend you Fallkniven sharpener DC3.
It is combination sharpener with 25 micron diamond sharpener on one side and a very fine ceramic sharpener on the other side. It is small and nice to have in the pocket outdoors – and with that sharpener you can get very sharp edges.

If you like a bigger sharpener, try DC4, same as DC3 but bigger.

Thomas
 
A few questions.

Do you want to sharpen and maintain or just sharpen or just maintain?

Do you want infinitely adjustable angles or would you be satisfied with one, two, four,
or six set angles?

Do you want standard stones, diamond, or ceramic?

Do you want oil, water or dry methods?

Are you going to strop or use some other edge refinement method after sharpening or honing?

I know that the search tool is limited at this time. Manually look back in this forum. You will find similar questions. It has been hashed and rehashed here numerous times.

All of the systems have advantages and disadvantages.

I am partial to the GATCO® Edgemate™ Professional Knife Sharpening System followed by stropping on leather loaded with white and red polishing compound.
 
Most people don't know how to sharpen a serrated edge with a bench stone. There is a trick to it and you have to know what you are doing. First you have to smooth the edges of your stone by rubbing it with something like coarse Wet- or-Dry sandpaper (I sometimes just rub the edges of the hone on the sidewalk). New bench stones usually are pretty ragged along the edges. Once you have smooth edges you can hone serrations using the edges of the hone rather than the flats. You need to look at how the serrations are beveled and somewhat match the pre-existing angles. You mostly want to hone on the side that is beveled. You just lightly touch up and deburr on the other side of the edge.

It is easier to just use a Sharpmaker for serrated edges.
 
For sheer versatility and no-nonsense utility without weeks (or years) of practice, go for the combo of a Spyderco Sharpmaker and a DMT course or medium stone.

The Sharpmaker for everyday stuff that doesn't need aggressive work, and the DMT (it's a diamond hone) for grinding away lots of crap.

Both great quality, reasonable price, and made in the US.

Eventually you will probablly assemble a full collection of stones of various types and characters, and will come here and post dissertations on edge geometry and grind; until then, you can use the Sharpmaker to get your knives to actually cut tomatoes.

I'm in the intermediate stage; I've bought the sharpmaker, I have a few stones, my knives are very sharp, but I won't be a sharpening ninja for a long time yet.
 
EdgePal said:
I can recommend you Fallkniven sharpener DC3.
It is combination sharpener with 25 micron diamond sharpener on one side and a very fine ceramic sharpener on the other side. It is small and nice to have in the pocket outdoors – and with that sharpener you can get very sharp edges.

If you like a bigger sharpener, try DC4, same as DC3 but bigger.

Thomas
Click to expand...

+1 Second on the Fallkniven sharpener DC3/4
Once you try these you will never go back.
All you need once you get used to it.
Cheap, around $10-15 for a 4" DC4.

-Ron
 
Another vote here for the Sharpmaker.

I have the Lansky too. It's not too bad, especially for re-beveling the edge, but even then some geometrical calculations, coupled with careful positioning of the blade in clamps, are necessary.
 
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